antibody production

how do the b lymphocytes make antibodies against HIV ie. from a biological perspective.

why doesn't this antibody production stop the progression of the disease? Apparently it is due to the structure of of the HIV, how can this be?

Response from Dr. Holodniy

Pieces of HIV are "processed" by the immune system's different kinds of cells (dendritic cells, macrophages, t cells), which then tell the B cells to make specific antibodies against HIV. This system works for all kinds of infections. Unfortunately, the antibodies made against HIV do not neutralize (bind and render noninfectious) HIV very well. Part of this is because HIV within a person is not one specific strain, but a family of viruses. Thus HIV has evolved to evade the immune system. That is also why vaccine development has been so slow.

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